Love, Lies & Amen

Chapter four

Jake's pov

Today was a bit windy. The tree branches were shaking slightly, and the weather was really chill. Perfect for strolling and investigating.

I was sitting on a bench pretending to be on a call. I was looking directly at Grace's house across the street, contemplating the best way to get in without drawing unnecessary attention.

On normal occasions, I didn't need to go as far as entering the location, but this is different. I could tell from the last time I came to scan the house that someone else went into the house and was obviously looking for something. What that thing was? I don't know. It could have just been an officer coming to gather more evidence, but I needed to be sure.

Due to my job, I'm able to notice even tiny differences in things and pick on irregularities. I kept pondering on how to go about it when my phone started ringing. I looked at the screen and sighed.

“What do you want, dude?”

“Can't your favorite person call to check up on you?” teased Daniel.

“No, I'm busy because someone is involved in a murder case, and someone is making me do all the work to get him out of it.” I replied sarcastically.

“Okay okay, I'll stop teasing,” Daniel said in a tone that meant surrender.

“I'm opposite Grace's house right now,” I said, still actively scanning the surroundings and keeping a blank expression.

“So how will you get in without the CCTV capturing you or anyone noticing you?”

“Just let me concentrate, man. See you later.” I immediately cut the call.

I think I've found a way to go about this. This plan is a stretch, but I'll make it work. I crossed the street, making sure not to look up so the cameras would only capture the side of my face. I went directly to the ladies who were gisting in front of the house beside Grace's house.

I wore a normal casual fit that won't draw much attention with a face cap. These ladies looked like they were between ages twenty to twenty-three, perfect.

“Good morning, ladies,” I said, smiling.

They both turned looking annoyed by the interruption but schooled their expressions a bit when they saw me.

“Good morning,” they both replied.

“I'm really sorry for interrupting, but I lost my puppy, and I thought I saw him run over here,” I said, putting on a confused expression.

“Oh, we didn't see a puppy, but we can try to help you, Mr..”, one of them replied, waiting for me to say my name.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't say my name, It's Tom.”

“Alright, I'm Stacey, and this is my friend Jane,” she gestured towards the second lady.

“It's a pleasure to meet you both. The puppy is actually a golden retriever. He likes hiding in strange places so it is really difficult to find him. His name is Rex.”

“I'm sure if the three of us look around together, we'll find him faster,” replied Jane.

“I would really appreciate that, thank you.”

We all started to walk down the street. Immediately we got in front of Grace's house, I paused and asked what happened here because the police had put up yellow tape indicating no one should enter.

“We are not really sure since we don't live around here. We are just staying here for a week. All we know is that a lady was killed there,” said Stacey.

“Hmm, that's sad. Is there a way to look around the house?” I asked unsurely.

“I guess so, but be quick so you don't get in trouble. We'll check around here while you check the back.”

“ I will be quick.”

The tape was only placed on the front door of the house. I only needed about 5 minutes in the house. I swiftly removed the gloves in my pocket, opened the back door without anyone noticing, and quickly scanned around the house, being careful not to move anything.

The house had this musky smell. It also felt creepy probably because someone was murdered here.

I'm not sure what I was looking for, but I kept checking around quickly. Then I saw something out of place and froze, but before I could check it out, I looked out of the window and saw two random officers approaching the ladies searching around the front of the house.

I immediately rushed out and removed the gloves, but as I wanted to stuff them back into my pocket, the gloves slipped and nearly fell, but I caught it. Thankfully, I was able to get back to the front of the house on time, still pretending to look for Rex.

“Good morning, officers,” I greeted them when they finally reached us.

“Good morning. What are you guys doing here? Don't you know this place is off-limits?” Officer James asked.

Their names were on their uniforms.

“We were looking for a lost puppy. He ran off a while ago,” replied Stacey.

“Is that so?” asked the officer, still looking at us suspiciously.

“Yes officer,” replied Jane

“What are your names?”

“I'm Tom, and this is Stacey and Jane.” I gestured towards them.

“So where is this dog you all were looking for?” the other officer asked.

“We haven't been able to find him, sir,” Jane said, looking a bit disappointed.

The officer just sighed.

“I'll let you guys off with a warning. Don't come here again.”

“Thank you, officer, it won't happen again.” I said.

They both walked back to their car to continue their patrol while we strolled back to the place where I met the ladies.

“Thank you very much for your help, ladies. I just got a message from my friend on the other street saying he found Rex,” I lied.

“Oh alright, goodbye, I hope we'll see you around some other time,” Stacey replied.

“I hope so too.”

I waved and left. I knew they would probably never see me again. It's for the best. I need to find another suitable day to come back, and that will be difficult.

I got into my car, which I parked in the other street and wanted to drive back home but decided to go to Daniel's place instead.

The weather had already changed. It looked like it would rain soon. The sky was getting darker, and I could see lightning far off, but I got to his place in time before the rain started. I quickly parked the car, walked to his front door, and rang the doorbell.

Daniel opened the door, and I immediately walked in and threw myself on his couch.

“You didn't tell me you were coming this afternoon,” Daniel said.

“When have I ever told you I was coming?” I replied.

“True. So? How did it go?”

“Someone else searched her house after the officers left.”

“Are you sure it wasn't an officer?”

“It wasn't a normal routine search. This person was looking for something.”

“What do you think it is? What could Grace have that this person wants so badly?”

“I don't know yet, but I'll find out soon enough.” I replied with a bored expression.

The rain started falling heavily, and I just closed my eyes, lying flat on the couch. I wasn't sleeping. I just wanted to rest my eyes and replay the activities of today in my mind.

This is something I usually do, even if I don't intend it. It helps with finding out things I missed sometimes.

Daniel knows I do this and went back to work on his laptop.